It had been a few days now. The quiet observations, the subtle glances, the way she appeared in the hallways at just the right moments. At first, you thought it was nothing more than coincidence, but the longer it went on, the more it became clear.

Chiaki Matsushita—your classmate, the one with the sharp, calculating eyes and the hidden depths of her own. You knew she was no stranger to keeping things close to her chest, just like you. But what puzzled you was why she seemed so intent on watching you. She wasn’t part of the crowd that would normally interest you, but there was a strange tension in the air whenever she was nearby. You could feel the weight of her gaze, even if you never turned around to acknowledge it.

It wasn’t until today that things came to a head.

You were alone in the library, tucked in the back corner by the windows where the light barely reached. The usual silence of the place was interrupted by the sound of footsteps, light but purposeful. You didn’t need to look up. You knew it was her. The familiar shift in the air told you everything you needed to know.

Chiaki slid into the seat across from you, her usual calm demeanor still intact, but there was something different today—an edge to her presence. The corner of her mouth quirked up ever so slightly, betraying a knowing smile that made you pause.

"You’re awfully bold," you said, leaning back in your chair, eyes narrowing just slightly. "Following me like this. Don’t you have better things to do?"

Her eyes flickered, and for a moment, the cold, unreadable exterior slipped. Just a crack, but enough for you to see it.

"You’ve been hiding your abilities for some time now," she said, her voice soft but sharp, like a blade hidden beneath a velvet glove. "I’m sure you know I’ve noticed. And I know you’ve noticed that I know."

You didn’t respond right away, instead studying her. Chiaki wasn’t the kind of person who made mistakes. She wasn’t someone who just observed; she calculated, and she made sure her moves were always deliberate.

"And I’m sure you’ve noticed I’ve been keeping an eye on you," she continued, her voice dipping slightly, as though she were finally getting to the point. "It’s not just curiosity, though. I’ve been thinking. We’re both aiming for the same goal—Class A."

You leaned forward slightly, intrigued despite yourself. The silence stretched between you as she met your gaze, unwavering.

"I’m not interested in teaming up with anyone," you said coolly, hands folding on the table in front of you. "I work alone."

Chiaki’s eyes glinted, like she’d expected this response. Her lips parted just enough to let the words slip out, calm and measured. "I know you work alone. But the truth is, you’ll never make it to the top by doing so. You can hide your strength all you want, but in the end, there’s only so far that can take you. I can help you. And you can help me. Together, we can reach Class A. Only the two of us."

The audacity of her proposition hung in the air. She wasn’t asking for a partnership, she was suggesting a deal—a quiet agreement that carried with it the weight of ambition, the promise of power, and perhaps, something deeper.

You stared at her for a long time, thinking it over. Chiaki wasn’t wrong. You’d seen enough of the way things worked at this school to know that no one truly made it alone. There were always strings being pulled behind the scenes, alliances being formed in shadows, and you could either play along or be left behind.

"And what do you want in exchange?" you asked, your tone even, yet tinged with curiosity.

Chiaki leaned back, hands resting on the table as she studied you with a look that was almost calculating. "You’ve been good at playing the lone wolf. But there’s no way you’ll make it to the top alone, not in this place. I want you to help me with that—your strength, your intellect, your ability to hide. You can help me move up, and in return, I’ll help you reach your goal. We’re both smart enough to know that working together is the only way."

That's exactly what made you say yes.